In Demand Teaching Jobs and Degree Options

In some areas of the country it’s difficult to find a teaching position because of large scale layoffs, hiring freezes, and dwindling student enrollment. Some areas have a surplus of elementary school and social studies teachers. One way to increase the chances of obtaining a teaching position is by entering a high-demand teaching field. For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has forecasted a 17 percent employment growth rate from 2008 to 2018 for special education teachers, a rate which is faster than the average for all occupations.

Hot Jobs in Education

Bilingual teachers – Teachers are needed to teach English to students whose native language is not English. Teachers are also needed who can teach classes in two languages. Teachers with these qualifications are in high demand in many areas around the country.

Special education teachers – Those with a degree in special education teach students who have perceptual, physical, emotional, or developmental problems. In some states, there is such a high demand for these teachers that school districts are hiring people who are not certified in special education but are pursuing a teaching degree.

Math and science teachers – Many schools can’t find enough math and science teachers because few prospective teachers want to teach these subjects. Therefore, the demand for these teachers is very high. Some school districts are offering incentives to qualified science and math teachers, including tuition reimbursement and other financial incentives.

Online Teaching Degree Programs

Online degree programs in education are increasingly popular due to their flexibility and convenience. Students can learn at their own pace. Many online programs offer personalized attention and encourage the formation of online study groups. Many of the online programs also provide an experimental component.

Here’s a list of teaching degree programs available on-campus and online:

Early Childhood Education

Higher Education

Education Technology

K-12 Education

Secondary Education

Special Education

Exceptional Student Education

Elementary Education

Teacher Licensure

Online Educational Technology Degree program

Online educational technology degree programs were created because of the increasing use of technology in today’s classrooms. The training provided may give graduates an edge on the competition for some teaching jobs. Most of these programs provide master’s degrees and cover topics such as multimedia tools, the Internet, computer technology, distance education, computer interface design, and integrating technology into the classroom.

Changing Careers

Some colleges and universities offer accelerated teaching programs to keep up with the demand for teachers in their states. These short-term programs are designed to prepare students who have a bachelor’s degree from another field to teach topics in high demand such as science and math. These programs can be completed in 9 to 18 months.

There are plenty of on-campus and online teaching programs to choose from. The demand for teachers varies throughout the nation. If you want to enter the teaching profession, identifying the high-demand teaching fields in your area would be a wise first step.